Carbon Dioxide Accounting for Emissions from Biogenic Sources

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On January 12, 2011, EPA announced a series of steps to address the treatment of biogenic CO2 emissions from stationary sources, including a detailed study of the scientific and technical issues associated with accounting for biogenic carbon dioxide emissions from stationary sources. Biogenic carbon dioxide emissions are defined as emissions from a stationary source directly resulting from the combustion or decomposition of biologically-based materials other than fossil fuels.

This EPA study will assess accounting options for biogenic carbon dioxide emissions from stationary sources as described in EPA’s proposed “Deferral for CO2 Emissions from Bioenergy and Other Biogenic Sources under the Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) and Title V Programs” (76 FR 15249). The four broad types of accounting approaches are: case-by-case analysis of individual source-specific permit applications; categorical exclusion of biogenic CO2 emissions from PSD permitting; exclusion of biogenic CO2 emissions from PSD permitting contingent upon the U.S. land-use sector’s remaining a “net sink”; and differential treatment of feedstock via approaches reflecting feedstock-specific attributes. Following this assessment, EPA plans to develop a set of appropriate accounting procedures for biogenic CO2 emissions that satisfy the principles of predictability, practicality, and scientific soundness.

EPA’s Office of Air and Radiation has requested the EPA Science Advisory Board review the scientific and technical issues associated with EPA’s draft assessment of methodologies for accounting for CO2 emissions from biogenic sources.